The Maybach 57 (chassis no. W240) and 62 (chassis no. V240) were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by Daimler Chrysler AG (now Daimler AG). They are derived from the Benz Maybach concept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. The concept car was based on theMercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, as are the eventual production models. The Luxury Brand Status Index 2008 voted the Maybach 1st place, ahead of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The models will cease production in 2013, due to continued financial losses for the marque, and sales at one fifth the level of the profitable Rolls-Royce models.
Its main competition was from the Rolls Royce Phantom and the Bentley Mulsanne.
History
DaimlerChrysler AG attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by Volkswagen, and BMW later exercised an option to acquire the Rolls-Royce car brand) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002, to the other companies' Bentley Arnage and BMW Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Design
Both Maybach models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with a chauffeur in mind.
Features
Standard features of all models include, but are not limited to: a navigation system with voice recognition; air conditioning with 4-zone climate controls; power rear sunshade; rear-seat DVD entertainment system; interior air filter; front and rear seat massage; 21-speaker premium sound system; power tilt/telescopic heated wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio and climate controls; power trunk open/close; voice-activated AM/FM radio with 10-disc CD changer; keyless start; heated front and rear seats; cooled front seats; power panoramic sunroof; adaptive cruise control; premium leather upholstery; 18-way power front seats; 14-way power rear seats; heated cupholders; rearview camera; iPod adapter; wireless cell phone link; outside-temperature indicator; universal garage door opener; night vision.
Options for the Maybach 57 and 57S and standard for the Maybach 62, 62S, and Landaulet include: 18-way power rear seats (replacing 14-way); 5-zone climate controls (replacing 4-zone); power side sunshades; cooled rear seats; wireless headphones; voice-activated power panoramic sunroof (replacing power panoramic sunroof); steering wheel mounted navigation controls; heated glass windows; and 30-speaker premium sound system (replacing 21-speaker).
The company offers various options for customers to personalise their vehicles, and provides various equipment combinations.
Performance
The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12, generating 405 kilowatts (550.6 PS; 543.1 hp).
The Maybach 57 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in about 5.1 seconds; the Maybach 62 and 57 S, about 4.8 seconds; the Maybach 62 S, 4.5 seconds, and the Landaulet, 4.5 seconds. Though not extraordinary by today's sports-car standards, such acceleration is impressive for cars weighing well over 6,000 pounds. Maybachs in general are extremely powerful: the 57 has 518 bhp (386 kW; 525 PS); the 57 S, 559 bhp (417 kW; 567 PS); the 62, 570 bhp (425 kW; 578 PS); the 62 S, 612 bhp (456 kW; 620 PS), and the Landaulet, 633 bhp (472 kW; 642 PS).
Price
As of early 2008, European and United States prices were as follows:
- Maybach 57 - € 366,934 / $ 341,750
- Maybach 57 S - € 417,402 / $ 381,250
- Maybach 62 - € 431,055 / $ 392,750
- Maybach 62 S - € 492,602 / $ 432,250
- Maybach Landaulet - € 900,000 / $ 1,350,000
Introduction
On June 26, 2002, a Maybach 62 enclosed in a glass case on the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 departed from Southampton, England, en route to New York City, with the media and company officials staying in the luxury suites on board.
The ship arrived in New York on July 2, welcomed by geysering fireboats and a motor boat. A helicopter lifted the car off the liner and onto a dock. It was then driven to the Regent Hotel, Wall Street.
Variants
Maybach 57
The Maybach 57 is the base designation and comes with 7 spoke, 19 inch wheels.
Maybach 57 S
Daimler revealed the Maybach 57 S at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, with the S standing for "special." It uses a 6.0 L version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. Power output is 450 kilowatts (611.8 PS; 603.5 hp) and 738 lb·ft (1,001 N·m), providing a sub-5 second sprint to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). It also rides 0.5 in (13 mm) lower on 20 in (510 mm) wheels. The North American unveiling was at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.
Maybach 57 and 62 "Zeppelin"
Maybach revealed the "Zeppelin" on the 2009 Geneva motor show as an additional luxury package that can be ordered on both the Maybach 57 and 62. The name "Zeppelin" was also used for the pre-war models Maybach DS7 and Maybach DS8. The package consists of special California beige leather with Stromboli-black stitching, piano black lacquer finishes and silver "Zeppelin" champagne glasses. Next to the interior changes the exterior has exclusive 20" chrome wheels and dark-red taillights. The engine is the "standard" 6.0L V12 Twin-Turbo with 640 bhp (477 kW; 649 PS) (which is 28 bhp (21 kW; 28 PS) more than the S versions). The word 'ZEPPELIN' is also incorporated into the triangular 'M' hood ornament.
Maybach 62
The Maybach 62 includes many luxury features such as fully reclining rear seats, Maybach 4 zone climate control, tinted-windows, infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round, AirMATIC dual control air suspension, display instruments in rear roof liner (showing speed, time and outside temperature), folding rear tables (left and right), BOSE Surround Everywhere sound system and a refrigerator compartment. The Maybach 62 also includes an array of additional features such as Cockpit Management and Navigation System (COMAND), which includes DVD navigation, CD changer in rear seats, DVD players and TV tuners front and rear, two rear LCD TV screens including remote control and two sets of headphones, and automatic closing doors.
Even though the Maybach 62 has all these features included, optional extras are available. Some of these are a panoramic glass sunroof at a cost of $11,670, and an external communication system, a loudspeaker and microphone system which allows the occupant in the rear of the Maybach to converse with people outside the car. This option comes at a cost of $1,780. Additionally, there is a retractable electrotransparent partition screen between the driver and the rear occupants, at $23,780 and, most expensive, a high protection GUARD B4 Package for an additional $151,810.
Maybach 62 S
The Maybach 62 S appeared in November 2006 at the Auto China 2006 exhibit in Beijing. It features the same engine as the 57S, a 612 metric horsepower (450 kW) twin-turbo V12 made by Mercedes-Benz AMG. However, the suspension remains untouched.
Maybach 62 Landaulet
The Maybach 62 Landaulet, based on the Maybach 62S, revives the classic landaulet car body style, which was popular in the 1920s and 30s. Powered by the 62S's 612 horsepower (456 kW) biturbo V12, the Landaulet's front seats are fully enclosed and separated from the rear passenger compartment by a power divider window. A sliding soft roof allows back seat passengers to take in the sun from the comfort of their seats. The chauffeur's area is finished in black leather, while the rear is done in all white with piano black and gold-flecked black granite inserts. Also, the opacity of the glass partition separating the driver from the passengers can be electronically controlled.
Maybach publicly unveiled the Landaulet at the Middle East International Auto Show around the end of November 2007 as a concept car. Limited production was confirmed in January 2008.
Brabus Maybach
The tuning firm Brabus, famous for high-performance and stylistic aftermarket modifications to Mercedes-Benz and Smart automobiles, produced a version of the 57/62 in 2004 which adds significant performance, features and style to the models. Electronically limited to a 300 km/h (190 mph) speed limit, these large vehicles produce 1,026 N·m (757 ft·lbf) torque and accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds.
Sales
| Calendar Year | US Sales |
|---|---|
| 2003[ | 166 |
| 2004 | 244 |
| 2005 | 152 |
| 2006 | 146 |
| 2007 | 156 |
| 2008 | 119 |
| 2009 | 66 |
| 2010 | 63 |
Initially, Daimler-Chrysler predicted annual sales of 2,000 global units with 50% coming from the United States; however, such lofty sales expectations never materialized. In 2007 Mercedes bought back 29 US dealers, reducing the total from 71 to 42.
Maybach Exelero
2013 cessation
With poor sales expectations and heavy impact of 2008 financial crises, Daimler AG undertook a review of the whole Maybach division. These included talks with Aston Martin to engineer and style the next generation of Maybach models along with the next generation of Lagonda models.
However, on 25 November 2011, Daimler announced that sales of all Maybach models and the brand would cease in 2013.
The line will be replaced by Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman models. An executive told a Frankfurt newspaper that: "(Daimler) came to the conclusion that the sales chances for the Mercedes brand were better than that of Maybach."
One suggestion for Maybach's struggles was that parent Daimler had failed to differentiate it from its Mercedes-Benz brand. While all three ultra-luxury marques share platforms and engines with other luxury brands from their parent auto company, Maybachs are built alongside the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship sedan, whereas Rolls-Royce and Bentley are assembled in England (separate from the rest of BMW and Volkswagen Group's production plants) and thus are regarded as being more "exclusive". Furthermore the Maybach's pedigree was virtually unknown outside Germany unlike its British rivals which have long enjoyed renown worldwide; indeed the 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom's interior evokes memories of a 1930s car while the Maybach 57S's inside makes no reference to its marque's history.
No comments:
Post a Comment